The final destination for a Pioneer is the stage of Chaifetz Arena and receiving a diploma, that represents accomplishments as a student at KHS. For Jamie Fitzpatrick, this upcoming event is unimaginable.

“It doesn’t feel real,” Fitzpatrick, senior, said. “I’m really, really excited to graduate and move on, but I guess it’s a little bittersweet.”

Fitzpatrick will attend Truman State University (TSU) where she received a full scholarship for swimming. Fitzpatrick has been swimming since fourth grade with the Kirkwood summer league the Riptides and has been competitively swimming since seventh grade.

“I love swimming. It’s just something that comes natural to me and it’s an escape,” Fitzpatrick said. “School [is] really hard senior year with my classes, so I always look forward to going to practice and [not having] to worry about [school].”

TSU recruits in the fall, so Fitzpatrick committed early and was relieved to know ahead of time what school she was attending.

“It’s really nice to already know what I’m doing. I figured it out in the fall so it’s nice to have that over with,” Fitzpatrick said. “I already know who I’m going to room with because she swims too and I’m so excited; I love the team. It’s great.”

While Fitzpatrick is excited to make the transition from high school to college, there are many things that she will leave behind at KHS.

“I’ll miss how spirited everyone is, especially senior year,” Fitzpatrick said. “[Specifically] football games [when] I was in band and the spirit of it is so fun. It’ll be sad not having that.”